Blade Runner - Loss of Humanity in Dystopian Movies | Video Essay

[@Screened]

What other dystopian movies should we explore?

[@cephalonia5001]

Not a movie but a TV series called Altered Carbon.

[@JoeKerr019]

Children of Men and The man In the high castle

[@maraque16]

There's a Spanish movie by the name Las Tinieblas (2016) that I think deserves more recognition.

[@dickydermawan1876]

snowpiercer

[@4-kathryn]

I thought of 'Tekkonkinkreet' & 'Elysium'. Don't watch much dystopia flicks so maybe my suggestions are off base. I think dirty when I see the dystopia word. Maybe you can watch them to see if I was in the right direction.

[@robonick3607]

Deckard out here giving existential crisis' to everything he touches

[@onewinter9411]

The feeling, the experience that I had when watching Blade Runner 2049 in cinema was unforgettable. I savor every scene, every shot, every line. It was soothing. It was oddly serene for a dystopian where everything is ruined.

[@Torus2112]

Me too, even after I left the theatre I had this strange zen like feeling, like I'd been emotionally cleansed.

[@Incredible_Mister_J]

I was in a cold room with a colder outside. My fingers felt so cold, yet it added to the viewing experience.

[@rattasay]

I saw it 2 more times in theater and then bought the movie digitally and then the blu ray and have a total of 6 times watched.

[@roberthipolito1351]

I wasn't able to watch it when it came out, and i regret it so much. But damn, in my own little dark room from a laptop I was left in awe. It was so beautiful.

[@MKYAlexanderSamuel]

@@roberthipolito1351 It has come out in IMAX theaters from time to time in which I had the good fortune of experiencing this masterpiece. And I'm pretty certain it will again. Hoping you get the opportunity. Peace

[@j4296]

Damn, that final scene with Rutger Hauer always gets to me. May he rest in peace. One of the best monologues ever and the last half was (re)written by him.

[@Screened]

Great moment where an actor knew how to elevate a scene

[@PhilJonesIII]

"You purchase pain with all that joy can give and die of nothing but a rage to live." ― Alexander Pope That was used in a book called 'A rage to live' which was about the explorer Richard Francis Burton. That final scene with Ruter Hauer reminds me of him, a real-life version of Batty and very human.

[@jonathanmulondo9206]

These dystopian movies are slowly becoming real life

[@Screened]

We're getting there ...

[@redfish6549]

Jonathan Mulondo no doubt man

[@journeymanX]

morpheus: welcome....to the real world

[@Ghostrider-71]

Ha, sad but true. The smell of the cities is even worse.

[@wyattwilbourne8601]

The thing about a real dystopia, is that it cannot exist unless people are content with it's existence. As long as there are people to notice tyranny, it can be thwarted

[@IbrahiemLegoFilms]

Dude, Blade Runner 2049 is one of the most underrated Masterpieces of all time!

[@mattblom3990]

Yes, yes it is.

[@JumpingJack6]

I wholeheartedly agree! Villeneuve crafted a masterpiece, a career pinnacle that will be hard to surpass.

[@achronos178]

Only sequel to truly live up to its predecessor's legacy. Very sad the general public didn't support it, its a modern classic. Great videos as usual!

[@kevincmejia]

But deep in my heart I can say I did, I went multiple times to watch it, to take my time and enjoy it and immerse myself into the experience

[@krel3358]

it was ok but it lacked the soul of the original.

[@achronos178]

@@kg356 my comment wasnt a contest.

[@badoli1074]

@@achronos178 Nevertheless it either was very uninformed (not knowing of the other sequels) or a very disrespectful (knowing, but not aknowledging those sequels as living up) comment.

[@gandalfthewhite8727]

What about Kung Fu Panda 2?

[@alfredrodriguez5879]

I've seen things you people wouldn't believe... Attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion. I watched C-beams glitter in the dark near the Tannhäuser Gate. All those moments will be lost in time, like tears in rain. Time to die. RIP Rutger Hauer

best movie quote OF ALL TIME !

[@ninawildr4207]

@ agreed!

[@elliotthelms4206]

"memories, emotions, and agency are how the world of Blade Runner show Humanity... Without memories we have no past, without a past we have no identity. Without emotions we have no way to connect or react to the people around us, without agency, we are just empty vessels at the service of other forces, waiting for purpose" THIS Thank you thank you. THANK YOU

[@robonick3607]

Funny to think Leto starred in one of the worst and best movies of this decade.

[@Goorlel]

He's not a bad actor, he's just a complete idiot outside of his craft

[@fabycho6791]

He is really good in most things too bad the general public only know him as the worst Joker ever

[@macheifach]

I thought his performance was impeccable in the 2036: Nexus Dawn short, even better, than in Blade Runner 2049 itself. Within those few scenes, he managed to establish such a character, it was hypnotizing. After this short, I had no doubt, that he was the right choice for the role.

[@dannymadrigal5112]

Faby cho I know him as the guy from Thirty Seconds to Mars. Back in the emo days

[@robonick3607]

macheifach agreed. It was quite disappointing that the short itself was put together so sillily.

[@pikachen]

One of the very first questions asked by the bladerunner during the Voight-Kampf Test I believe was: "You see a turtle on its back. What do you do?" Presumably, the question is trying to out a replicant by detecting a lack of empathy or compassion for a living creature. - Reddit Roy chooses to save Deckard and it might be pure instinct or to have a few more precious moments and have someone live to tell his story or to impart a lesson. I love that it's open to interpretation, but that first part really adds another layer to Roy Batty's decision to not only grab Deckard but to pull him up and save his life.

[@themarlboromandalorian]

Sometimes, to love somebody... You have to be a stranger... This line spoke deeply to me.

[@TheFiown]

Dying for the right cause is the most human thing you can do , said Fraser , and in the end K became more human than 'human' by dying for the right cause. He and Deckard were more human than the humans who feared them, was it their humanity , their empathy , then solidarity that the makers feared, their capacity for emotion in an emotionless world ?

[@ninawildr4207]

No not Deckard...Roy Batty

[@themarlboromandalorian]

We all have hills upon which we would die, and die upon them we must, lest we be dragged below and executed for our apathy.

[@juancgonzalez2102]

I am a person who has trouble writing down my thoughts. I can feel and see them but I can't write due to multiple concussions I've had through out my life. It has made it hard for me to communicate. It makes me sad that I can tell someone what I think about films, music, books and games. It frustrates me that all these words get trapped in my mind. But this channel always takes my thoughts and says them for me. Bladerunner means so much to me when I was questioning my indentity, my gender Indentity and I am very happy that this channel understood why I love Bladerunner. Thank you.

[@Screened]

We are glad to be of help in some way

[@RGVNC]

The theme of the film whispers silently in your ear "Shhhhh, it's ok, You're alright just let go."...as it chokes you unconscious.

[@tonyrandall3146]

Ana de Armas's wide eyed acting was amazing. Half of what made Joi's love for K so convincing.

[@Kostaras4444]

Bladerunner 2049 has to be my favourite movie, the feelings it invokes in me are undescribable.

[@ActualLiteralKyle]

9:50 I’m not tearing up I just have something in my eye. Lol seriously though, I never considered that his Mercy, a theoretically human action (vs an android doing so) ultimately brings him the humanity and more importantly brings the chance at immortality he desperately desired. Great video, awesome as hell. Thank you!!!

[@TechnicJunglist]

Both old & new are phenomenal pieces of art. Beautiful, captivating, and will make you feel emotions that you didn't really knew you had

[@robertdaone]

Loved the original version. I still look at it from time to time to remind me of how much better sci fi flicks were in the past than they are now.

[@Screened]

I like the smaller scope of the first movie

[@alejandrocuevas8939]

When he dies, he become a real human.

[@KozenX]

Who’s to say that being a real human is in these types of futures makes a difference from the synthetics. Perhaps its the real morality but even then what’s it worth it you die and the person who you help or save is also just likely going to die. I think it’s just the fact that it had worth and the sacrifice had to be done just for the hope of change.

[@SillyScyllia]

and a real hero

[@manofhonor1685]

A real human bean

[@BillyDawg101]

and a real hero

[@silentghoust]

I actually hated that he died. It didn't even seem like he truly was mortally wounded. It's like he just gave up as he felt he fulfilled his purpose. Which I feel that purpose was imposed on him on all fronts. He deserved better, and his reward shouldn't of been a glimpse of happiness just as he passes.

[@katherinekelly6432]

"Without memories we don't have a past and without a past we don't have a identity. Without emotions we have no way to react or connect to the people around us and without agency we are just another vessel at the service of other forces waiting for purpose." Roy seeking his humanity helped Deckard realize his own. Each had their humanity stolen from them but in different ways. The shared commonality is each was "Dehumanized" by humans regardless if only one was only human. Deckard is actually the greater tragedy because he was born with something of value that was taken from him. He not Roy is the one that is pitied where Roy is admired yet Roy was "less than human"

[@poeticalgore6500]

Well, say about Rachel and are those memories hers....Well, I'd say yes they are. She remembers them and her behavior is in light of those memories. She arranges her life as if those things actually happened to her. So from a subjective truth (the lived experience) they are hers. Blade Runner was so good on every level. I really wish Ridley had got pigeon holed into doing sci-fi movies....

[@landryprichard6778]

Some of the best cinema ever. Two daring sets of choices.

[@subarux4054]

Wow, I am always left in awe watching your vids. Simply amazing.

[@Screened]

Glad you liked it 👍

[@faiz3711]

check out "Like Stories of Old " if you have not yet!

[@SuperSketch22]

Third, a video I enjoy just listening to

[@munaali6998]

very beautifully written thank you

[@Screened]

Thank you 👍

[@munaali6998]

welcome@@Screened keep it up!

[@julilolmo776]

Love this video so much! I just finished reading the book and yesterday I watched both movies, so this video felt very convenient and pleasant.

[@Sotelurian]

Julilolmo Very cool. I had intended to do the same thing this month, but my commitments proved overwhelming. I did listen to the soundtracks from both movies, though.

[@mattblom3990]

Great point about Batty having saved Deckard thus passes on part of himself, a small success to his mission.

[@irenefoxs]

After watching and rewatching both movies, both very close to my heart, this analysis made me feel so much closer to them because you explained the things I felt with words. Thank you for this.

[@MasonOfLife]

These two movies are just masterful man bravo to everyone involved in their creations

[@journeymanX]

joker: we live in a society blade runner: society is Lost but really the 80's knew how to predict our future which is our pitiful present,cyberpunk is no longer sci-fi its Reality

[@vstk2]

Fun fact: Blade Runner was based off the novel "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?" by Philip K Dick, which was published in 1968. It's pretty closely followed in the movie. But still the main ideas are the same. So really, it was an author with an amazing ability to see how the future would pan out. I also recommend checking out A Scanner Darkly, by the same author, but is also a movie.

[@joshuanoel5574]

I love y'all videos such great work keep it up guys always look forward in taking in these essays

[@Screened]

Thank you very much 👍

[@lloydcaskenette1095]

Top quality content ! Keep it up !

[@Screened]

Thank you 👍

[@lloydcaskenette1095]

@@Screened No, thank you 😉

[@bernardocoto8519]

Thank you for this video, I've been obsessed with Blade Runner for more than 20 years, went to video forums at my University about it before the internet, and still every time I see it it moves me to the deepest. I've used it in courses and analyzed it with my students since then and it amazes me how it gains relevance with time. I've seen Millenials start watching it with boredom and finish it in anguish to know if Deckard and Rachael are going to make it. When the new movie came out they were thrilled and expectant to watch it. This video has given me light to something I've always missed in my analyses, the importance of *agency* and it's relation to identity.

[@loneakmoperator507]

I lost my humanity reading other channels comment sections

[@Screened]

Yeah that happens

[@maneebmasood]

I can watch this video in repeat. The dystopian world is near. Oh wait, it's already here. Thank you for putting this up. One of the best movies of the decade. /\

[@shortjohnsilver4605]

Just as November 2019 ended.

[@pdzombie1906]

Another exception to the rule of the original being always better than the sequel. Great video, Thanx!!!

[@billyandrew]

Ridley Scott said Deckard was dealing with problems on earth, while Ripley was dealing with them in space and that they were in the same timeline, on downtime, just living in different parts of the same city, drinking in different bars from each other.

[@Kevin-Smith7]

Screened's narrator is so chilled, better than ASMR

[@Screened]

Thank you 👍

[@DisgruntledDoomer]

So chilled that I "fink" he has a lisp.

[@PanzerPC]

Thank you for this perfection, ridley scott has truly blessed us with this world

[@Screened]

Glad you liked it 👍

[@gutspraygore]

The character of Joi was poignant and ambiguous in a brilliant way to me. Let me explain... She is an AI purchased by K to fill an apparently human necessity for himself. Realistically, she is as unhuman to K as he is to humans. Both being products of the same company even. During the course of the movie, though, we see he has real affection for her and this affection appears to be reciprocated. Is her affection real? Well, that's the problem. If she didn't seem to love him then she is a defective product. She is programmed to love whoever purchases her. So, no, her affection could not be real. The kicker at the end was when Joi, in a last ditch, attempts to save K and Luv says, "I do hope you were satisfied with our product." But she says it to Joi, not to K.

[@spinyslasher6586]

That also brings into question about the emotions Rachel had. Both Joi and Rachel were after all, AIs (only that Rachel had a tangible body). Deckard even said that as a replicant Rachel was programmed to obey humans. So did her programming make her less human? Are we humans truly more free than these replicants or AIs?

[@normangaddy]

Love took over Jois program to experience emotion from Joe. That is why She became irate when contact was broken.

[@davidbedard3201]

Beautifully done video, which deftly captures why I have loved Blade Runner for decades.

[@Screened]

Glad you liked it 👍

[@nobodyspecial2718]

Blade Runner is an adaptation of a Phillip K Dick book "Do Androids dream of electric sheep?" The storyline of the film celebrates the human spirit, ironically through the eyes of a i androids that long to be human, and resent humans simultaneously. Its a fine film that has a lot to say, and I suggest you watch it. Tell me what you think about it

[@Dogofwarno7]

Hey man, two minutes into this, I got an issue. In the first blade runner, Deckard quit his job, and only went back to it because the police chief made him with threats of arrest. Like, he didn't want to hunt replicants at all at the start, and was just kind of press ganged into the story.

[@10th_genhenry51]

love your videos man. thanks for looking into the two best movies off all time. :)

[@Screened]

Glad you liked it 👍

[@Omenvreer]

i find myself rewatching your videos when i don't know what to watch on youtube during lunch at work. all the time.

[@Screened]

I'm glad you enjoy our videos 👍

[@leoncc2922]

Oh, I was waiting for this! My favorite movie ever!

[@Sameoldfitup]

"Man is born free and everywhere he is in chains." Jean-Jacques Rousseau.

[@farrelladam8521]

7:41. And to add more insult to injury, he will be hunted for the rest of his life because he is basically a rogue replicant with no purpose (his boss was killed, and he didn't pass the last baseline test) It is really depressing...

[@ColByte]

Experiencing memories, the ability to meditate on them and contemplate ones own morals and evaluate purpose. Then the free will to act on those emotions as you personally decide. To be human.

[@DeadTalent]

I was so sad when i did not see another one of these.. do more.

[@quntface1518]

This is poetry, man.

[@JumpingJack6]

Blade Runner was quintessential movie making and story telling, a true masterpiece.... Blade Runner 2049 was also quintessential sequel, a work worthy of the title Blade Runner and it, itself, a masterpiece. Loved both movies.

[@salvadorbogado4554]

I love this vid, i'm from Argentina, keep the good work

[@Screened]

Glad you liked it! We are from Canada 👍

[@haivanon]

well done. well written and presented. thank you

[@Screened]

Thank you 👍

[@copypaste3526]

The lighting in Blade Runner is in a league of it's own. No other Movie or Game from that Neo Noire Genre which the movie defined comes even close to the quality of lighting in this movie.

[@JUANCHITOGOMEZ]

I just love this channel. Another great review from another great movie. I´m so glad to discover it

[@brendanmcnally9145]

Really nicely done! Kudos

[@dalmat8799]

thank you for so wonderfully covering my all-time favourite movies

[@Screened]

Glad you liked it 👍

[@peterjhartvideo]

Beautifully done.

[@Screened]

Thank you 👍

[@matienazemy1382]

I personally like the first one a bit more than the second one, but still both movies are masterpieces. The questions that come with both films hit very close to me.

[@a.3032]

Love your channel! Being in a fandom where a loud minority claims that subtext is not part of the narrative, that blocking, lighting, props and set prod. doesn't matter and is not important, your channel is a breath of fresh air.

[@Screened]

I'm glad you like our content 👍

[@Sixteen0Four]

I wrote my bachelors thesis about light and color in storytelling and people who believe that these things aren't part of the narrative should not be allowed to go to the movies anymore.

[@a.3032]

@@Sixteen0Four I agree.

[@JCarrera_ll]

🖤Anyone knows a similar quote or the rest of it since "to know your time is running out ..." it just keeps popping up on my head and I can't find where it's from

[@shadowpapito]

Fantastic Content! Salute ... Peace and Light ..

[@oscarwatkins4696]

Great video, really enjoyed the poetic script. I think you made some quit poignant arguments in each of the 'chapters' and it really broadened my mind on the Blade Runner universe.

[@Screened]

I'm glad you liked it 👍

[@whysoserious652]

great video dude, appreciate it..

[@mov-e6612]

Thank you, your work on this was great!

[@Screened]

Glad you liked it 👍

[@Sarconthewolf]

Tears in the rain, are the memories of a life. No one has your memories. It's the view of a human life at the end.

[@plxton]

One of the best video essays I've ever watched!

[@Screened]

Glad you liked it 👍

[@hello2jello4mellow34]

Thank you for a wonderful clip!

[@orioncampos]

Great analysis.

[@BetoEnLaVidaReal]

Love this video ;)

[@Screened]

Thank you 👍

[@LightWaIker]

Beautiful work brother.

[@Screened]

Thank you 👍

[@amnesiaalzheimer1306]

Que bonita narrativa, tranquiliza sólo escuchar u v u

[@Screened]

Gracias 👍

[@TheMrCatsHDFIlms]

Absolutly Fantastic Video !!

[@Screened]

Thank you very much 👍

[@sanfransailor]

Dystopia is just another word for angst. The libidinal urges provoked through nudity, kind words, and touches keep the dying ember of hope alive. The future is now and neither is new.

[@Leto85]

This video made me wonder what sci-fi stories would be told in a distopian futuristic world, or any futuristic world for that matter.

[@batboy3746]

8:52 "I want more life...father." - Me: LOLOLOLOL (This is from the Final Cut version. He says f**ker, in the original 1982 version).

[@alexism9656]

Really? Well, I like Father better

[@coreyandrobinsnow9907]

My understanding is that Scott filmed this scene with Hauer twice. Each with a different last word. I think they show a slightly different emotional state. The first (father) shows angry irony, and the second--just plain rage. Both work, but I think that I prefer the second. Even though I'm constantly trying to keep my kids from cursing. :)

[@batboy3746]

@@coreyandrobinsnow9907 - I agree. "father" just does not ring true. If I were Ridley Scott, I would have left the curse word in. It makes for a more intense scene. (I'm kind of sorry I know this now, because I very much revere this movie, and the Final Cut corrected so many wrongs SKILLFULLY, and with justification. Except this one thing. I guess, it's like taking the f-word out of 'The Catcher in the Rye' novel)

[@komickid833]

I had watch ex machina and Blade runner back to back and they made me think what is the criteria that allows an AI to become human with another idea that you have to examine all other forms of consciousness like animals to get the full picture of what it means to be conscious and thereby come to understand what it means to be human

[@simondestefano9144]

incredible video! keep the great work

[@Screened]

Thank you 👍

[@Obe_Qwaet]

Great video! *I really do hope* you do a video essay on Terry Gilliam's Brazil at some point.. because it is such a great film and so often overlooked these days, yet a cult classic among those that have seen it due to how complex and unnerving it is.

[@Thespeedrap]

Both are great films.It's mainly depends on what interested you

[@ruanbatista2834]

Your text is excepcional! Congratulations.

[@montagne2198]

Let's begin. Ready? Recite your baseline: A blood black nothingness. A system of cells. Within cells interlinked. within one stem. And dreadfully distinct. Against the dark. A tall white fountain played.

[@KWillyzz1]

5:26 *is the alien from Prometheus*

[@DJMooseKnuckle]

Fantastic video !

[@Screened]

Thank you 👍

[@BrokenCandy1]

these videos are always so beautiful 👍👍

[@Screened]

Thank you 👍

[@michaelcahill9331]

Well Done!

[@Screened]

Thank you 👍

[@danielwilliamson6180]

You should do a video about Total Recall - The Nature of Reality.

[@KmiloO13me]

This... Hits hard

[@janknoblich4129]

Will we ever get a 4th? These are amazing

[@AlgisKemezys]

Excellent!

[@stefi220]

I'm watching this drunk and damn it's a reaaaal journey

[@jasonshirrillmusic]

cool well put

[@MaciejBogdanStepien]

What makes you human? "One may define the human being as _The One Who Seeks the Truth_ "

[@teeheeteeheeish]

I love that this universe is linked with the Aliens universe

[@splumpy8469]

I hope we get a 2049 sequel where we see the replicants rebel against the humans

[@Wolfe-zl4ld]

Not going to happen

[@docmadhattan]

Battlestar Galactica

[@seanhuds229]

They say you die twice, first when you die, second, when your name is said for the last time.

[@joela.4058]

THANK YOU!!

[@Screened]

Glad you liked it 👍